John 3:1-17

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

This is the day that we celebrate God with us and for us in three incredible ways. We call it Trinity Sunday. What do you think of when you hear that word Trinity? I talked to a few people this week and virtually every reaction is something about how difficult it is to understand, how distant and inaccessible God feels when we try to sort out this business of a Trinity. I got a few expressions of sympathy that I have to preach today on the Trinity. But I’m happy to do so! What I hope to offer you today is the Trinity as an all-encompassing love experience. The Trinity is the most basic human experience of the divine. It is as common and comfortable as receiving a hug.

Our story of Nicodemus seeking out Jesus never mentions the Trinity. In fact we never hear the Trinity referenced in scripture. But we do get to hear about how others experience it. One of them is Nicodemus. He comes at night to find out more about Jesus.

Now there are theories that Nicodemus came at night because he was afraid he’d be ostracized by other Pharisees if he was seen talking to Jesus. But I don’t think so. There are many times in scripture that Jesus has conversations with Pharisees during the day where they ask Jesus to explain what he’s doing. But we are in the Gospel of John, the book of signs. John wants us to understand the nature of Jesus and his role for us in our lives. Jesus is light in our darkness. Jesus is truth in the midst of our chaos and confusion. Jesus is love in the midst of suspicion, ill will and intent.

Nicodemus Visiting Jesus - Henry Ossawa Tanner (Public Domain)

There is a wonderful painting of this scene by Henry Ossawa Tanner. Jesus and Nicodemus are up on a rooftop sitting together in the night deep in conversation. The only source of light is the entrance to the roof from the house below. Light is streaming up through the opening illuminating the heart of Jesus. Nicodemus, in shadowy shades of darkness in his understand of life, strains to understand what Jesus is saying.

The wonderful thing we can take away from Nicodemus is that he is curious and open to new ideas. He hangs in there compelled to stay and experience more. The Gospel wants to make the point that Jesus and Nicodemus are from two different worlds. Where Nicodemus hears a literal, physical meaning of being born again which is impossible, Jesus wants him to give him a new narrative about the life of the spirit.

We will see Nicodemus twice more in John’s gospel – defending Jesus after his arrest and advocating for him before the Sanhedrin and again after Jesus crucifixion as one who courageously steps forward to provide expensive spices to ensure that Jesus has a royal burial. Nicodemus has made the transformation from confusion to belief. He has experienced God in creation, God in word and God who empowered him to step out in faith. He has experienced the Trinitarian God.

Let’s talk a little about the roles of the three entities that make up the Trinity.

God’s role is creator. The very first words in Holy Scripture are of God creating heavens and earth, divine magnificent imagining and creating everything from eyelashes on a gnat to solar systems we haven’t even found yet. God is the ultimate entrepreneur with vision. God sustains all parts of what God creates and then renews and perfects them. God pours out God’s self in love.

Creation is so expansive it can be overwhelming, so God does what theologian John Macquarrie calls “focusing” so that we, with our finite vision and attention, might have experiences of the nature of God and how God moves in the world. And Jesus is God’s focusing.

Let’s look at the role of Jesus. Jesus as a focusing of God is a concrete manifestation of God’s activity. Through Jesus we are able to focus on God’s presence and on-going activities that might go unnoticed without a focusing event. Jesus is the outpoured life of God. He is the agent through which we are reconciled or brought into closer relationship with God. Through the words and actions of Jesus’ life, not just his death, God is seen and light and warmth are present. Everything Jesus does is a victory for God. Because everything he does lessens the space that separates us from God and makes God’s gift of creation feel more accessible to us.

And let’s look at the third entity of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. Last week Fr. Bill described the Holy Spirit as the source of comfort, advise, advocacy, and God’s grace. Some have said that the Holy Spirit is the wild child of the Trinity who stirs things up everywhere she goes. And she goes everywhere with energy! She is loose in the world in surprising and disruptive ways and always with love. It’s the Holy Spirit that shows us what’s possible in our world with the gifts of creation and reconciliation through the actions and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Let’s try something together. I’m going to ask you to think of 3 people and a place. It might be a friend or sibling, a co-worker or a parent. It could be a teacher, a parent or family members or neighbor. It could be someone living or dead. Just someone who you know based on what I’ll describe.

First, think of the most creative person you know or have very known. You go to their house and every bit of it is thoughtfully and beautifully put together. Or they tell you about their work and you realize they have extraordinary ideas, a real entrepreneur with a sharp imagination about what to do and how to do it. You wonder “how did he think of that?” Do you have someone in mind?

Now think of someone else, someone who is a true friend. You can call on this person and look forward to seeing them. They tell great jokes and amazing stories. You can count on them to tell you the truth even when it’s a hard truth. But you also know they care about you and it’s for your own good. They’d do anything for you. And you’ll get a hug from them in the end. Okay, keep that person in mind.

Now think of a third person. Think of the most out-going, friendly and energetic person you know. Someone with an infectious smile who encourages you and cheers you on when things go well and especially when they do not. You are at your best when you’re with them. They spark your imagination. You’re amazed at the things this person thinks of doing and you want to join in with them, to go along and see how it all turns out. Do you have that third person in mind?

Keeping your three persons in mind, now think of the most wonderful place you’ve ever seen, or wanted to see or imagined. Maybe it’s palace or cathedral, or your own backyard or a forest or a deserted beach at sunrise. Where ever or whatever it is, place your three people there. Imagine now that the qualities they have, the qualities that led you to choose them, are exponentially greater than any person can have, they are on a divine scale.

When you approach them, they are so happy to see you. They love you and they welcome you. You sit down in the midst of them and it feels like being wrapped in a soft blanket. You can feel their intense concern for every part of your life. They are simultaneously creating for you, accompanying you and giving you energy and insight. This is the work of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. You’ve just had an experience of the Trinity. Amen.